trio mocotó: trio mocotó
Francisco Espregueira
Reissuing a classic album of a genre that grew outside the western standards always deserves our deepest praise. Maybe we’ve heard a music or two from a certain band or artist, but having a full project from another time, and another world, on our hands, incites the discovery of unknown feelings and a new-found curiosity towards new sounds. Mr Bongo, with a invaluable work of many years, dedicates most of its efforts spreading music that just can’t be lost.
The 1977 album from Trio Mocotó is a timeless classic of Brazilian popular music (or MPB), featuring the incredible “Não Adianta”, a brilliant cover of Jorge Ben’s “Que Nega É Essa”, or the sweet samba of “Dilê”. As key players in the development of the 'samba rock’ sound – a fusion of samba, soul and rock influenced by music from the USA - Fritz Escovão, João Parahyba and Nereu Gargalo, a.k.a. Trio Mocotó, were most well-known as Jorge Ben’s backing band playing on several fundamental LP’s from him – including his self-titled from 1969, Força Bruta in 1970 and Negro É Lindo in 1971.
More recently, they returned in 2001 with Samba Rock and Beleza! Beleza!! Beleza!!!, their first releases since the 70’s. The three previous albums - being this self-titled from 1977 one of them - have now become collectors' items sought out by DJ’s all over the world. Mr Bongo’s invaluable work, with the license of Arlequim, resulted on a special reissue that had us smiling from the moment it played.